I only need to PLAY nki. based samples, nothing else.   NI forces us to purchase an expensive program, even if PLAYING a sample is ALL we want to do.  (Exception: some samples like the Galaxy Vintage Piano will work on the free Kontakt player, but many WON'T!!!!)
 
That's a rip-off.
 
Any substitute players?   YET?
 
JG

nope.  For the person with a lot of time on their hands, many programs intended for Kontakt have the raw samples included and it would not be that hard to map them to the sampler of your choice. Very time consuming and you will obviously not get the exact sound if it uses Kontakts processe but this works out well for percussion and such.

I can't say I agree with a free program being called a ripoff.  It would be silly for NI to reduce the incentive to actually purchase their program. 

kontakt is pretty much their flagship product.. it's down to the sample makers to make their libs compat. with kontakt player etc.  you can't find alternative sample libs?? you don't state the ones you have issue with.
 
if it's NI libs, then of course they want you to buy the full thing.. it's their "want" item, sorta like logic... but you need a mac to run it..
 
much like 1001 pro audio things... e.g. even sonar producer has things studio doesn't.
 

It is a free program.  You get what you pay for.